Women’s basketball goes 2-0 in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The 25th-ranked Loyola University New Orleans women's basketball team completed a two-game road swing in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Monday, defeating Arkansas Baptist, 63-52, two days after a win at Philander Smith. The Wolf Pack (4-4) will stay on the road for their next game, but staying in New Orleans to take on Dillard at 5:30 p.m. next Monday. 
 

Alissa O'Dell and Deniya Thornton combined for the first eight points for the Wolf Pack, taking an 8-2 lead after five minutes. O'Dell made two free throws before Thornton turned a Kate Thompson steal into a score, 4-0. O'Dell scored again, 6-0, before Thornton had a steal-and-score to lead 8-2 halfway through the frame. After a few scoreless minutes, Alexis Babineaux got on the board and O'Dell helped give Loyola a 12-6 lead after 10 minutes of play. 
 

O'Dell got to double figures in scoring in the early portion of the second quarter, then Thornton hit a 3 to make it a nine-point lead, 19-10. Libby Thompson and MG Lymon answered four straight points by the Buffaloes with two 3-pointers, 26-14, and Kate Thompson scored twice to extend the advantage to 11, 30-19. Lymon made an easy layup after that, but Arkansas Baptist got a few free throws to cut Loyola's lead to 10, 32-22, by halftime. 
 

Thornton and O'Dell kept up their good play with back-to-back scores to start the third quarter, 36-22, and a 3 by Lymon made it a quick 7-0 run for the Wolf Pack. Thornton hit a 3 in the corner and Travis made a free throw and a floater to give Loyola a 20-point advantage, 47-27, with four minutes left in the quarter. Babineaux added a score and Bria McClure made one at the buzzer to send Loyola into the fourth quarter with a 51-33 lead. 
 

Both teams struggled to score in the fourth quarter, as the Wolf Pack led 52-37 after four minutes. Arkansas Baptist played their best in the final quarter, but Krislyn Biscette, Isabella April and Addison Luker all got in on the scoring to help put the game away. 
 

Pack Facts

• Alissa O'Dell led the Wolf Pack in most statistical categories Monday, posting 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.

• Deniya Thornton also got to double figures, scoring 12 points in 20 minutes.

• Arkansas Baptist's 52 points were tied for the fewest by any Loyola opponent this year.

• The Buffaloes were held to just six points in the first quarter, which was the lowest-scoring quarter for any Wolf Pack opponent this season.

• The Pack held the Buffaloes to just 16-of-60 shooting (26.7%)